Espargaró Dominates Sepang Shakedown as MotoGP Prepares for 2026 Season
The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia played host to MotoGP’s official Shakedown Test this week, marking the initial foray for manufacturers to evaluate their updated 2026 machinery. The three-day event, held under clear skies, saw limited participation, primarily featuring test riders from each manufacturer and the two highly anticipated rookies on the grid, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira. Yamaha, as the sole remaining brand in Group D of the concession systems, was also granted permission to field its full-time race riders.
The primary focus of this early testing session was on aerodynamic developments, a crucial area for gaining a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of MotoGP. All five manufacturers arrived in Sepang with their latest prototypes, eager to gather vital data and assess performance improvements.
Espargaró Sets the Benchmark
Aleix Espargaró, representing Honda, emerged as the standout performer, consistently setting the pace throughout the test. He initially posted the fastest lap on Thursday with a time of 1m58.091s. While Pramac rider Jack Miller managed to eclipse this time on the second day with a 1m57.901s, Espargaró responded emphatically on Saturday. He shaved off nearly a full second from his previous best, ultimately topping the leaderboard with an impressive 1m57.173s. This remarkable lap, set midway through the final day, was fast enough to have secured a spot on the second row of the grid for the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix, underscoring the significant progress made by Honda.
Espargaró was the sole representative for Honda at this shakedown, with the marque’s other test rider, Takaaki Nakagami, dedicating his efforts to the development of the RC214V with a specific focus on the upcoming 2027 regulations.
Brotherly Rivalry and KTM’s Progress
Adding an intriguing subplot to the proceedings was the performance of Pol Espargaró, brother of Aleix. Pol consistently secured the second-quickest time on each of the three days, demonstrating strong form on the latest iteration of the RC16. He ultimately finished just 0.126 seconds behind his elder sibling. Despite a minor setback on Thursday, with a crash in the afternoon, Pol was able to continue the test without sustaining any injuries, showcasing his resilience and commitment.
Yamaha’s Late Surge and Rookie Watch
Yamaha opted to skip the opening day of running, focusing their efforts from Friday onwards. Rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu was the sole Yamaha representative on Thursday, using the time to accelerate his preparations for his highly anticipated MotoGP debut. Once the factory team joined the test on Friday, Yamaha consistently featured near the front of the timesheets.
Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 World Champion, ended the test in third position with the new V4-powered M1. His best effort of 1m57.590s, however, was still half a second adrift of Aleix Espargaró’s chart-topping time. Alex Rins, Quartararo’s teammate, followed closely in fourth, further bolstering Yamaha’s presence at the sharp end.
Rookies Impress, Pedrosa Shows Veteran Skill
The rookie battle was a closely watched affair. While Razgatlioglu initially held the advantage as the fastest rookie over the first two days, LCR Honda’s Diogo Moreira managed to edge him out on Saturday. Moreira achieved a significant overnight improvement of 1.3 seconds to claim sixth place. Despite this, the gap between the reigning Moto2 champion and the World Superbike star was minimal, with only a tenth of a second separating Moreira and Razgatlioglu, who finished in eighth. Veteran Dani Pedrosa, riding for KTM, skillfully split the pair, taking seventh place on the timesheets.
Ducati and Aprilia’s Development Focus
Ducati’s test rider, Michele Pirro, was tasked with evaluating a range of new innovations on the GP26. He secured ninth place overall with a best time of 1m58.899s, despite experiencing crashes on the final two days. Pirro’s performance was sufficient to beat his Aprilia counterpart, Lorenzo Savadori, who finished in tenth. Savadori is expected to rejoin the Aprilia factory team for the upcoming official Sepang test, stepping in for the injured Jorge Martin.
Other notable riders present at the shakedown included Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez and KTM veteran Mika Kallio, who were also actively involved in the development programs.
Sepang Shakedown Test: Combined Times
Here is a summary of the combined times from the Sepang Shakedown Test:
- 1st: Aleix Espargaró (Honda Test Team) – 1:57.173
- 2nd: Pol Espargaró (Red Bull KTM Factory) – 1:57.299 (+0.126)
- 3rd: Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Factory) – 1:57.690 (+0.517)
- 4th: Alex Rins (Yamaha Factory) – 1:57.892 (+0.719)
- 5th: Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha) – 1:57.908 (+0.735)
- 6th: Diogo Moreira (LCR Team) – 1:58.338 (+1.165)
- 7th: Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory) – 1:58.464 (+1.291)
- 8th: Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha) – 1:58.465 (+1.292)
- 9th: Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1:58.899 (+1.726)
- 10th: Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) – 1:58.948 (+1.775)
- 11th: Yamaha Test Riders (Yamaha Factory) – 1:59.351 (+2.178)
- 12th: Augusto Fernández (Yamaha Factory) – 1:59.758 (+2.585)
- 13th: Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory) – 1:59.807 (+2.634)
The shakedown test provided a valuable glimpse into the competitive landscape for the upcoming MotoGP season, with manufacturers eager to build upon the progress made at Sepang. The focus now shifts to the official test, where the entire grid will have the opportunity to showcase their development and challenge for supremacy.
